An excerpt from the Wealthy Nickel -
16 Comments You Should Never, Ever Make to a Southerner
by Rebecca Holcomb
1. Sweet Tea
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| Image Credit: Shutterstock. |
During a trip to Michigan with my southern husband, we were invited to lunch, where my husband kindly asked the waitress for sweet tea. Word to the wise: If someone asks you for sweet tea, it is far better to say you don’t have any than to offer them iced tea with sugar from the table.
Anyone who makes sweet tea knows you cannot add sugar to cold tea and get good sweet tea. At most, you’ll end up with iced tea with gritty crystals.
2. Instant Grits
Having moved to Florida in 2003, I can tell you people in the South are serious about their grits. Cheesy grits are especially favored, but cooking them well is a big part of most “Southern” cooking. Creamy with a texture similar to cream of wheat, these savory grains are a great addition to Southern specials like fried chicken and excellent barbecue.
However, never are they “instant,” and asking someone if they are may get you disinvited from dinner.
4. Y’all
When I was growing up and in school, a contraction of the words you and all wasn’t a word. However, down South, it’s been an accepted part of everyday vocabulary since before I was born. One particular sticking point, though, is where you place the apostrophe.
Y’all is the correct way to write it; anything else is unacceptable. Also, ain’t, which wasn’t a word when I was in school, is now proper (according to Webster’s Dictionary) language and should be spelled correctly.
12. Bless Your Heart
While hearing this phrase may make you think that the sweet grandma you met at the grocery store is complimenting you, it’s more likely that she thinks you’re a bit dim. “Bless your heart,” or any version thereof, is not often given as a nice comment. Take a moment to evaluate the situation, and you’ll know whether someone’s insulting you. If you’re unsure, chalk it up to indifference and move on.
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